BRUCE JOHNSTON

FROM SURFER BOY TO BEACH BOY

Stephen J. McParland / CMusic

Fans of Bruce Johnston and The Beach Boys are in for a treat. What is the treat, you may ask? It would be A Surfer Boy’s Dream Come True, a book researched and written by Stephen J. McParland. It was released this year and chronicles Bruce’s life, from his early years to joining The Beach Boys and beyond. This review will feature a general overview of the content of the book and some additional comments relating to the writing style of the biography.

General Overview

The book dives deeply into the fascinating narrative of Bruce’s life and offers readers an intricate and comprehensive look at many different aspects of his life. McParland presents Bruce’s life as a tapestry of the golden age of California sound, intertwined with rock and roll history and the burgeoning music industry of the 1950s and 1960s. His biography brings to light the complexities of Bruce’s career.  

A Humble Beginning 

McParland begins with Bruce’s birth in Peoria, Illinois, his modest beginnings. From there, he covers the relocation of the Johnston family to Los Angeles, a move that would prove pivotal in shaping Bruce’s future in music. Bruce’s love for music emerged early, nurtured through piano lessons and an appetite for the musical offerings on L.A.’s classical and popular radio stations. These early experiences laid the foundation for Bruce’s musical ambitions. During his high school years, Bruce began exploring his talents more formally, forming bands with classmates and learning the intricacies of collaboration and performance. 

McParland captures these formative years with vivid detail, painting a picture of a young man driven by a mix of talent and sheer determination.

Finding Footing in L.A.

Bruce’s early career in Los Angeles is where his story truly begins to take shape. McParland chronicles his rise in the city’s vibrant and competitive music scene, from playing in local bands to becoming an integral part of the studio recording world. This period was characterized by experimentation and relentless work as Bruce honed his skills as a producer, arranger and songwriter.  

One of the standout chapters of the book focuses on Bruce’s partnership with Terry Melcher. Together, the duo recorded under the name Bruce & Terry, crafting hits like “Hey Little Cobra” that became staples of surf and hot rod music. McParland brings these years to life, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses into the recording studios and the creative process that drove Bruce’s success

The book also highlights Bruce’s lesser-known contributions to music beyond his solo and band efforts. His work behind the scenes showcases a man who was as comfortable working in the spotlight as he was in the shadows of the industry.

In my opinion, it is this versatility and dedication that make Bruce’s story all the more compelling.

Becoming a Beach Boy

For many, Bruce’s story reaches its pinnacle when he joined The Beach Boys in 1965. Replacing Glen Campbell, Johnston became a key part of the group, bringing not only his musicianship but also his experience in production and arrangement. McParland portrays this transition as the fulfillment of Bruce’s lifelong dream, a sentiment which is beautifully captured in the book’s title.  

McParland details his role in various Beach Boys recordings, emphasizing his ability to adapt and contribute to the group’s evolving sound. However, McParland doesn’t gloss over the challenges Johnston faced during his time with The Beach Boys. He used discussions of the internal dynamics of the band, as well as Bruce’s battle for recognition in a band that included larger-than-life personalities like Brian Wilson and Mike Love. For me, the discussion of these struggles add depth to his story. It is a deviation of sorts from the usual story that Bruce fit right in with the band immediately. It shows that there were challenges in his journey, which is undoubtedly interesting for fans of the band to read about.

Pros and Cons

To get more into specifics of the book itself, there are several strengths and weaknesses present throughout its pages. 

One of the strengths is its meticulous research. Drawing on interviews with Bruce’s peers and collaborators, as well as extensive archival material, McParland paints a comprehensive picture of Bruce’s life and career. 

The book delves into everything from obscure studio sessions to Bruce’s contributions to specific songs, providing a treasure trove of information for music enthusiasts.  

However, this level of detail is a double-edged sword. While die-hard fans of The Beach Boys and the music of the time will enjoy McParland’s extremely informational approach, casual readers might find the sheer volume of information overwhelming. 

There are many sections, like ones that get into the nitty-gritty of recording contracts and track listings, that would likely captivate hardcore fans, but simply would not resonate with all readers. This specific issue makes the book less accessible to casual readers or even casual fans of The Beach Boys. 

There are some other issues that are present with the book that I feel would limit its reach to a more casual audience. For example, there is a lot of technical language throughout the book. While this could be interesting for those that understand what McParland is talking about, the casual reading will not understand the information, which would take them out of the experience. Additionally, while the fact-forward approach is commendable, it can make the biography feel somewhat narrow and lacking a compelling narrative structure that might engage casual readers. Even as a huge fan of the band, there were some moments where I felt the information being presented was simply too dense for its own good. Although, with that being said, there are still elements of McParland’s style that I rather enjoyed. I liked the historical contextualization present in the book. It helped me remember certain things, and place aspects of Bruce’s life into other areas of history that I already knew.

Final Thoughts

However, with all of that said, “A Surfer Boy’s Dream Come True” is a great celebration of Bruce Johnston’s life and career. McParland succeeds in elevating Bruce’s profile, shedding light on a musician who played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of a generation. 

At the end of the day, this book is more than just a biography – it’s a deep dive into the life of an artist who embodied the spirit of the California sound. While its detailed approach might not suit everyone, those willing to immerse themselves will find an interesting exploration into Bruce’s life and artistry. 

I would personally recommend this piece to fans of the band, especially those that have a favorite in Bruce’s contributions to The Beach Boys. 

Go to Stephen’s online store HERE.

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